Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Salernitana vs. Atalanta BC - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 11 May 2023, 04:18
Salernitana and Atalanta BC have contrasting ambitions before Saturday's Serie A clash at the Arechi Stadium.

The Granata are almost safe from relegation — despite losing at Empoli last weekend — and Gian Piero Gasperini's men still have a Champions League spot within reach regardless of a 2-0 loss to Juventus in Bergamo in round 34.

Match preview

Salernitana were in the relegation fight a while back, but the turnaround since Paulo Sousa replaced Davide Nicola in mid-February has been incredible.

The Granata boss lost his opening game in charge against Lazio, but a 10-game unbeaten run saw the Salerno outfit move eight points clear of 18th-placed Spezia.

Most of those games were draws, including against the Milan clubs and Serie A champions Napoli, with the latter delaying the Partenopei's coronation.

The heroics of Guillermo Ochoa was pivotal in those vital ties, the goalkeeper coming to the aid of his defence time and again.

Sousa's men were two points clear of Spezia after Salernitana's 2-0 loss to Maurizio Sarri's men three months back but are potentially one more positive result from securing their Serie A status for another season.

Atalanta will not be quite so generous to grant the hosts the result they need to stay in Italy's top flight, with the Bergamaschi chasing Champions League football.

A 2-0 home loss to Juventus in Sunday's early kick-off ended La Dea's three-game winning run, thus seeing them fall five points behind fourth-placed Inter Milan.

With the Old Lady reportedly to be docked nine points according to reports in the Italian press, Gasperini's troops should give themselves a chance of ending in the top four by securing as many points as they can in the season's final weeks.

Duvan Zapata's return to form has proved significant in Atalanta's run-in, with the forward's hold-up play and decisive execution helping to secure vital victories.

Only champions Napoli have picked up more away points than La Dea, giving the Bergamaschi hope of winning in Salerno.

Salernitana Serie A form:

D

D

W

D

D

L

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

L

D

W

W

W

L

Team News

Boulaye Dia fired blanks at Empoli last week, but Salernitana's top-scoring forward is expected to lead the line against La Dea.

While left wing-back Domagoj Bradaric returns from suspension, Dylan Bronn is absent after accumulating yellow cards.

Norbert Gyomber, Antonio Candreva, Federico Fazio, Domen Crnigoj and Diego Valencia are either doubtful or injured, and they are unlikely to feature on Saturday.

Ademola Lookman and Rasmus Winther Hojlund were joined on the sidelines by Jeremie Boga on Sunday when the wide attacker was withdrawn 15 minutes after coming on to add to Gasperini's selection headache.

Joakim Maehle was booked in second-half stoppage time, ruling him out of this weekend, so Brandon Soppy is expected to replace the Denmark international, with Davide Zappacosta expected to move to left wing-back.

Jose Luis Palomino, Hans Hateboer and Matteo Ruggeri are sidelined and not anticipated to feature.

Salernitana possible starting lineup:

Ochoa; Daniliuc, Lovato, Pirola; Mazzocchi, Coulibaly, Vilhena, Bradaric; Maggiore, Botheim; Dia

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Sportiello; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Zappacosta, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Soapy; Pasalic; Muriel, Zapata

We say: Salernitana 2-2 Atalanta BC

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

22 March 2025 talksport.com Everton Women star Rikke Madsen won't forget her team's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace any time soon. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo is the most lethal goalscorer in history - but Lionel Messi edges him in the never-ending 'greatest of all time' debate. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool may have one hand firmly on the Premier League trophy, but more recent matches have shown that the Reds board cannot rest on their laurels during the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After a disappointing start to World Cup qualifying, Romania will look to get their campaign up and running when they visit Serravalle to face minnows San Marino on Monday night. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two nations who made the perfect start to World Cup qualifying meet in Zenica on Monday night when Bosnia-Herzegovina host Cyprus. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among three Premier League teams to have taken an interest in signing Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a significant boost in their efforts to sign Rayan Cherki, whom Lyon have decided to sell in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly made a final decision on whether he plans to re-integrate Marcus Rashford into his squad this summer. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United have been told to seek wisdom from darts sensation Luke Littler over how to handle high-pressure situations. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's reported capacity to purchase a new striker in the summer transfer window is in excess of £100m due to their good financial health. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will have a special Carabao Cup trophy parade next weekend after ending 70 years of hurt. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will finally get their trophy-winning party in front the Toon Army. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are set to be active during this summer's transfer window, as the recently-appointed Ruben Amorim looks to bring in players capable of thriving in his 3-4-3 system. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate reportedly has no release clause in his current contract amidst interest from Real Madrid in his signature. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are facing a centre-back crisis for their La Liga match against Osasuna next week, with Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen potentially all missing the rescheduled fixture. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Another consolation silver medal is waiting for Arsenal at the 2024-25 Premier League finish line, as Mikel Arteta and co bemoan injuries, suspensions and fatal - yet avoidable - transfer mistakes. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly begun initial talks with Napoli over the possible transfer of Rasmus Hojlund to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are expected to move for at least one central midfielder during this summer's transfer window. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Twelve years may have passed, but Franck Ribery is still not over his 2013 Ballon d'Or snub. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are not familiar with quiet summer transfer windows and as it stands, there's no sign of bucking the trend in 2025. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Walsall boss Mat Sadler claimed the decision not to request a postponement this afternoon was 'out of' the club's hands. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona would reportedly be willing to let Raphinha leave during this summer's transfer window if an offer of €120m (£101m) were to arrive, with Manchester United said to be keen to sign the attacker. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Suggestions that Liverpool's season would be disappointing if they only win the Premier League title are ludicrous, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has apparently emerged as a potential transfer target for AC Milan, who took Joao Felix off of the Blues' hands in the January transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have joined the ever-growing list of clubs interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has delivered an update on his head injury after the 32-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Brazil squad earlier this week. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Albania and Andorra, both aiming to bounce back from defeats on matchday one of the UEFA FIFA World Cup qualifiers, will face off on Monday in a matchday two clash in Group K. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Andrey Santos has revealed that he is yet to receive any direct contact from Chelsea regarding his plans for 2025-26. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal defender Ben White will likely be a shoo-in for the next England squad and should be considered for a start against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Gunners expert Charles Watts has claimed.